US Senate Republicans' first bill of the new Congress includes measures supporting Israel and sanctions on Syria; Democrats, however, are split over the addition of "Combating BDS Act," which seeks to counter the BDS movement.

Associated Press|Published: 01.08.19 , 09:35

US Senate Republicans' first bill of the new Congress, which will be put to a vote on Tuesday, includes a measures supporting Israel and sanctions on Syria. But the addition of Republican Sen. Marco Rubio's "Combating BDS Act," which seeks to counter the global Boycott, Divest and Sanctions (BDS) movement, drives a wedge between centrist and liberal Democrats over attitudes toward Israel.

For now, the package will almost certainly stall. The bill comes amid the partial government shutdown, and Democrats say they will block it until government is reopened.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer will oppose proceeding to the legislation, according to a senior aide who was unauthorized to speak publicly about the vote and spoke on condition of anonymity. Other Democratic senators who also support the bills will likely follow suit.

Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., tweeted that the Senate "should not take up any bills unrelated to reopening the government" until the shutdown is resolved.

Rashida Tlaib, the first Palestinian-American woman elected to the US Congress

But Republicans see an opening to focus on newly elected House Democrats, including the country's first Palestinian American woman in Congress, Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib, who has spoken about the rights of Americans to support the BDS issue.

"This is the US where boycotting is a right and part of our historical fight for freedom and equality," Tlaib said on Twitter. "Maybe a refresher on our US Constitution is in order, then get back to opening up our government instead of taking our rights away."

In support of Israel, Rubio's bills would affirm the legal authority of state and local governments to restrict contracts and take other actions against those "engaged in BDS conduct." Several states are facing lawsuits after taking action against workers supporting BDS boycotts of Israel.

Opponents say Rubio's measure infringes on free speech. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., tweeted, "It's absurd that the first bill during the shutdown is legislation which punishes Americans who exercise their constitutional right to engage in political activity. Democrats must block consideration of any bills that don't reopen the government. Let's get our priorities right."

Rubio, a Florida senator, said Monday in a series of tweets, including one pointed at Sanders and Tlaib: "The shutdown is not the reason Senate Democrats don't want to move to Middle East Security Bill.... A significant number of Senate Democrats now support BDS and Democratic leaders want to avoid a floor vote that reveals that."

Both sides are squaring off ahead of Tuesday's votes. A coalition of civil liberties and liberal Jewish groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union and J Street, is working to defeat the legislation, while the influential pro-Israel American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) supports it.

"Any contention that the bill infringes upon First Amendment rights is simply wrong," said AIPAC's Marshall Wittman by email. "It ensures Israel has the means necessary to defend itself-by itself-against growing threats and helps protect the right of states to counter boycotts against Israel."

J Street's President Jeremy Ben-Ami said in a statement: "While millions of Americans suffer from the effects of the ongoing government shutdown, it's outrageous that Senate Republican leaders are prioritizing legislation that tramples on the First Amendment and advances the interests of the Israeli settlement movement. Not a single Democrat should vote to enable this farce."

Republicans hold a slim majority in the Senate and would need Democratic votes to advance the measure over the 60-vote threshold.